Welcome to the Lillian Anderson Arboretum!
The Lillian Anderson Arboretum is a private natural area with 5 miles of trails that is open to the public. The Arboretum is part of Kalamazoo College’s campus, and is managed and stewarded by the Larry J. Bell ’80 Environmental Stewardship Center. We welcome visitors who share our commitment to preserving the natural qualities of the Arboretum.
The Arboretum is comprised of 140 acres of marsh, meadow, pine plantation and second-growth deciduous forest in Oshtemo Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. Several families worked the land between the early-19th and mid-20th centuries. Lillian Anderson, a K graduate, donated approximately 100 acres of her family’s farm to the College in 1982. In 2000, thanks to the generous financial assistance of Dr. and Mrs. H. Lewis Batts, the College added 31 acres of land along the eastern boundary of the original Anderson property. The Arboretum was established in 1998 as a resource for the Kalamazoo College community, Kalamazoo-area residents, and visitors to the area.
Trail Maps
Several trail maps are available to download as well as instructions for using the Avenza app on a smart phone. Trail maps are also posted multiple places throughout the Arboretum.
Arboretum Policies
The Arboretum is free and open to the public every day between dawn to dusk. Visitors must follow the posted policies which are in place for the protection and safety for all.
Local Weather
The Arboretum has it’s own weather station! It is part of the Enviroweather network through Michigan State University. You can find current weather conditions as well as historic data.
Classes & Research
As one of Kalamazoo College’s living learning labratories, the Arboretum is an ideal location for classes and student research. Learn how to bring a class to the Arboretum or view past student research projects.